Jacory Barney enjoying Brett Maher’s impact on special teams

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Huskers have a new Special Teams Coordinator, and he’s already making a positive impression on the team in spring ball, particularly their All-Big Ten return specialist.

Brett Maher is replacing a Frank Broyles Award nominee from last year, so there’ll be some pressure with fan expectations this fall. However, junior wide receiver Jacory Barney believes Maher will have a smooth transition following the promotion. He’s absorbing Maher’s knowledge of the game like a sponge as they navigate through the month of March.

After all, Barney admires the former Husker’s success as a Big Ten Kicker and Punter of the Year, plus his long career as an NFL player. Maher is approaching his third season on Matt Rhule’s staff, so he has chemistry with Barney, who’s confident that’ll mold him into a better return man.

“His history, just all of the adversity that he (Maher) went through in his career, being that he’s a Nebraska native,” Barney said. “I feel like he’s in a good spot, we’re in a good spot, it was a good hire and I’m happy for him.”

Barney is looking to build off his promising 2025 campaign, after tying for first on the team in touchdown catches, and finishing second in receptions, and receiving yards. The former three-star prospect is a special teams demon though, after generating 545 yards returning kickoffs and punts last season. Which is why Barney plans on returning kicks again.

It’s still not clear to Barney who he’ll be returning kicks with, but he hopes they’ll make him work harder to be better overall. The Florida native shared duties with All-Big Ten performer Kenneth Williams last year, who’s now at Michigan State. Regardless, Barney has trust in Maher’s ability to fill the voids, and keep the wheels rolling on special teams.

“He’s been around, and that’s my guy,” the wideout said. “He believes in me, and that is what’s most important, so I believe in him.”

There’s a different vibe among the Huskers’ special team participants with Mike Eckler no longer leading the unit. The plan is for Maher to put all of the pieces in the right place as Nebraska inches closer to the Red & White Game. Barney understands that special teams win games, and that everything usually comes down to field position.

Being one of the most dangerous return specialist in the Big Ten, means opposing teams will likely avoid kicking to Barney. The coaching staff can use Barney in multiple ways because of his athleticism and versatility. Right now Barney is ready to pick up where he left off, which includes returning kickoffs. There were moments last year when Barney experienced some special team blunders, and now he’s determined to correct those mistakes.

“I’ll be back there, and I know the media complain a lot about taking it out, but I don’t choose to do that,” he said. “I just do what I’m coached to do, so I look forward to it.”

Barney also wants to evolve as a wide receiver, with the ability to block, and do damage from the slot, as well as out on the edge. The six-foot, 170-pounder generated 120 receiving yards, and caught two touchdowns against Michigan. Barney also eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards in the win over Akron, and hauled in a touchdown pass against UCLA, Utah and Houston Christian.

There’s no denying that Barney is a weapon with the ball in his hands, and with Maher at the helms of special teams, fans should expect to see the best version of Barney’s return game.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes this year.”